10 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
Symptom #7: Jaundice
Since pancreatic tumors can occur on the head of the pancreas and adjacent areas, the area where the bile duct merges with the pancreatic duct is affected. This causes the obstruction of the normal flow of the bile fluid into the small bowel. This causes the back flow of bile and also jaundice.
Jaundice is a medical term used to describe the yellowish discoloration of the skin accompanied by other symptoms such as appetite loss and unrelenting pruritus (itching) of the skin. Jaundice occurs in about 50% of patients with pancreatic cancer. It occurs when there is a build up of bilirubin (a by-product of red blood cells). Treatment includes a bypass procedure using surgery or stents placed endoscopically.
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